Baseboard radiator

ABSTRACT

An improved baseboard radiator comprising a substantially tubular conduit formed of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing for containing and conveying hot water; a plurality of fins disposed onto and along the conduit for radiating heat energy transferred from hot water contained within the conduit; and a housing to contain the conduit/fin assembly. Alternate embodiments include the use of an integrated return water line formed of PEX tubing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to environmental climate controldevices, namely, baseboard radiant heating units. Specifically, theinvention relates to an improvement on a hot water baseboard radiatorfor residential and commercial use, where cross-linked polyethylenetubing is substituted for copper tubing as the hot water conduit in thebaseboard radiator.

BACKGROUND

The present invention utilizes cross-linked polyethylene tubing as asubstitute for copper tubing in hot water baseboard radiant heatingunits.

Traditional baseboard radiators are typically constructed of a conduitfitted with heat dissipating fins, all contained within a housing. Theconduit carries heated water from a heat source, such as a boiler, andthe heat is transferred by the fins to the space in which the baseboardradiator is located. The conduit is typically made of metal, mostcommonly copper tubing. Copper tubing provides for efficient heatconductivity as well as providing rigidity to the baseboard radiator.However, copper tubing is relatively expensive and difficult to workwith. Moreover, if copper tubing is exposed to freezing temperatures anywater contained therein may expand and burst the pipe, causingsignificant damage to the baseboard radiator as well as to the space inwhich it is located. There thus is a need for an improved baseboardradiator that utilizes a cost-efficient, easy to work with substitutefor copper tubing that is also freeze damage resistant.

PEX is the common trade name for cross-linked polyethylene. Through oneof several processes, links between polyethylene molecules are formed tocreate bridges (thus the term “cross-linked”). This resulting materialis more durable under temperature extremes, chemical attack, and betterresists creep deformation, making PEX an excellent material for hotwater applications. Developed in the 1960s, PEX tubing has been in usein many European countries for plumbing and radiant heatingapplications. PEX was introduced in the United States in the 1980s, andhas seen significant growth in market demand and production.

PEX's flexibility and strength at temperatures ranging from belowfreezing up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit makes it an ideal piping materialfor hot and cold water plumbing systems, service lines, and hydronicradiant heating systems. It is flexible, making it easy to install andservice. PEX is able to withstand the high and low temperatures found inplumbing and heating applications, and is highly resistant to chemicalsfound in the plumbing environment.

Flexible systems are quieter than rigid piping. The smooth interior willnot corrode which can affect other materials long term pipe flowcharacteristics. PEX systems have fewer joints and are easier to installproviding a lower cost installation over traditional plumbing materials.Moreover, PEX is an approved material in all the current model-plumbingcodes. PEX piping is also freeze damage resistant as it can expand andcontract as water freezes and thaws within the tubing. This presents asignificant advantage over copper piping, especially for use in seasonalhomes which may be left unheated during the winter season.

PEX is cost-effective as a substitute for copper due to its relativelylow price and copper's relatively high price. In addition, theinstallation of PEX in heating systems is fast because of the easyhandling of the tubing and connection methods. Crimp fittings, insertcompression fittings, and outside diameter compression fittings can beused to join PEX tubing to other components, as compared to the need forsoldering to connect copper piping. Many heating systems already use PEXtubing to connect baseboard radiators to the heating source; however,the connection between the PEX tubing and the copper tubing of thebaseboard radiator presents difficulties. A system utilizing PEX to PEXconnections eliminates these difficulties.

Notwithstanding the superior characteristics of PEX for plumbing andheating applications, however, PEX tubing has not previously been usedwithin baseboard radiators, primarily because of its characteristicflexibility. A conduit in a baseboard radiator comprised of PEX tubingwill tend to sag, especially when coupled with heat dissipating fins.For this reason PEX tubing has been limited to radiant floor heatingsystems or radiant wall heating systems, in which the PEX tubing isembedded in a fixed matrix, such as a concrete floor. The matrixprovides the rigidity to the PEX tubing that would be otherwise lackingin a baseboard radiator.

The present invention addresses and solves the above-stated problems.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide animproved baseboard radiator which is cost-efficient to manufacture.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide animproved baseboard radiator which is easy to install.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide animproved baseboard radiator which resists freeze damage.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide animproved baseboard radiator which uses PEX tubing as the hot waterconduit.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide animproved baseboard radiator which incorporates a support structure toprovide rigidity to the PEX conduit.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the description and claims which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved baseboard radiant heat unit,using PEX tubing as the hot water conduit as a substitute for coppertubing. The baseboard radiator of the present invention comprises thePEX conduit, fins for radiating heat energy, and a housing. The fins aredisposed onto and along the conduit, forming a fin/conduit assembly,with the fin conduit assembly contained within the housing. Thefin/conduit assembly is made rigid by the use of a rigid fin unit or bythe use of one or more support brackets. A return water line may beintegrated with the baseboard radiator, also being comprised of PEXtubing. So configured, the improved baseboard radiator may be integratedwith traditional heating systems, though it is preferably used inheating systems which utilize PEX tubing to convey hot water between thevarious components.

Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan front view of one embodiment of the present invention,with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal the interiorcomponents.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present inventiondepicted in FIG. 1, with a portion of the housing cut away to reveal theinterior components.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fins and theconduit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fin unit embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionutilizing a support bracket.

FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 5A, with dotted lines representing howcomponents fit together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of yet another embodiment of thepresent invention utilizing fin flanges.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionutilizing both a support bracket and a top bracket.

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 7A, with dotted lines representing howcomponents fit together.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionutilizing a return conduit.

FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 8A, with dotted lines representing howcomponents fit together.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the return conduitutilizing carrier frames and carrier frame clips.

FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for an improved hot water baseboardradiator 1 for use with a conventional residential or commercial heatingsystem. The improved baseboard radiator 1 comprises a primary conduit100 formed of cross-linked polyethylene tubing (PEX), a plurality offins 200, and a housing 300. See FIG. 1.

The primary conduit 100 has a uniform outside diameter 110 and issuitably adapted to contain and convey hot water. See FIG. 3. The PEXtubing from which the primary conduit 100 is formed may be coiled tubingor straight tubing. Straight PEX tubing requires less externalstructural rigidity than coiled PEX tubing in order for the primaryconduit 100 to have its desired shape, which is substantially linearwith minimal bending or curving, and is thus preferred, but either maybe used. Any size PEX tubing may be used, though in the preferredembodiment the primary conduit 100 is ¾ inch diameter PEX tubing, asheating systems that use PEX tubing to connect their componentstypically use ¾ inch PEX tubing. The length of the primary conduit 100should be approximately the same as the width of the housing 300, thoughthe length of the primary conduit 100 may be slightly longer than thewidth of the housing 300 which results in the ends of the primaryconduit 100 extending somewhat beyond the sides of the housing 300. Sucha configuration allows for easier connection of the baseboard radiator 1to the heating system. While shorter lengths of PEX tubing may beconnected together to form the primary conduit 100, in the preferredembodiment the primary conduit 100 is formed of a single seamless lengthof PEX tubing.

The plurality of fins 200 used in the improved baseboard radiator 1 maybe any standard heat dissipating fins known in the art. The fins 200need only be adapted to radiate heat energy transferred from hot watercontained within the primary conduit 100 to the ambient environment. Thepreferred embodiment uses aluminum fins 200 being substantially planarand having a substantially square or rectangular shape. See FIGS. 2 and3. However, other configurations and materials are also contemplated.The only limitation on the choice of fins 200 is that each fin 200 musthave a central aperture 202 that allows the primary conduit 100 to passthrough the fin 200. See FIG. 3. In the preferred embodiment the centralaperture 202 is substantially circular in shape and has an insidediameter 204 substantially equivalent to the outside diameter 110 of theprimary conduit 100. This permits the primary conduit 100 to be insertedinto and through the central apertures 202 of the fins 200, resulting inthe fins 200 being snugly disposed upon and along the length of theprimary conduit 100 on its outer surface 108. See FIG. 2. In otherembodiments, the central apertures 202 may be of different shapes anddiameters, with only a subset of the fins 200 being snugly fitted ontothe primary conduit 100. In the preferred embodiment the fins 200 aredisposed along substantially the entire length of the primary conduit100. In other embodiments the fins 200 may be clustered at one end orthe other of the primary conduit 100, or at the center of the primaryconduit 100, or at random intervals.

The conduit/fin assembly 250 is the combination of primary conduit 100and fins 200 where the fins 200 are disposed onto and along the primaryconduit 100. See FIG. 5A. In one embodiment the fins 200 in theconduit/fin assembly 250 are fixedly attached to each other into a finunit 270, such that the conduit/fin assembly 250 is a substantiallyrigid structure. See FIG. 4. In this embodiment the primary conduit 100is maintained in the preferred straight configuration within the centralapertures 202 of the fins 200. This embodiment has the advantage of notrequiring any further means for maintaining structural rigidity, but hasthe disadvantage of requiring non-standard fins 200 and/or requiring theuse of connection means between the fins 200. In the preferredembodiment the fins 200 are not attached to each other, with the resultthat the conduit/fin assembly 250 is flexible. This configuration is themost cost-efficient as standard fins 200 may be used withoutmodification, but additional structural rigidity means must be employed.

The housing 300 of the baseboard radiator 1 of the present invention maybe any standard baseboard radiator housing that can accommodate theconduit/fin assembly 250 within its interior. Typically the housing 300will be constructed of metal, to improve radiation of heat energy, butother materials may also be used. In the preferred embodiment thehousing 300 will be of standard dimension so as to be available for newconstruction or easily retrofitted into existing facilities withoutspecial modification.

The improved baseboard radiator 1 of the present invention may comprisea first coupling 410 and a second coupling 420. See FIG. 1. The firstcoupling 410 should be adapted to connect one end of the primary conduit100 to the heating system, and the second coupling 420 should be adaptedto connect the other end of the primary conduit 100 to the heatingsystem. Where the heating system uses PEX tubing to connect itscomponents, the first and second couplings 410,420 will be PEX-to-PEXcouplings, such as crimp fittings, insert compression fittings, andoutside diameter compression fittings. Where the heating system usescopper tubing to connect its components, the first and second couplings410,420 will be PEX-to-copper fittings, which may require soldering ofthe fitting to the copper pipe.

In embodiments of the baseboard radiator 1 of the present invention inwhich the conduit/fin assembly 250 is flexible, the baseboard radiator 1further comprises a support bracket 500. See FIGS. 5A and 5B. Thesupport bracket 500 is adapted to support the conduit/fin assembly 250.It may be constructed of any rigid material, though in the preferredembodiment it is metal and in the most preferred embodiment it isaluminum. The support bracket 500 should be substantially planar, withor without edge flanges 530. In embodiments using edge flanges 530, theedge flanges 530 depend upwards in a substantially vertical orientationand the distance between the edge flanges 530 should be substantiallythe same as the width of the fins 200 in the conduit/fin assembly 250,such that the conduit/fin assembly 250 is fitted snugly between the edgeflanges 530 and held therein when the conduit/fin assembly 250 is placedonto the support bracket 500. See FIG. 5B. The support bracket 500 isfixedly attached to an inside portion 302 of the housing 300 to hold theconduit/fin assembly 250 in place.

In another embodiment the baseboard radiator 1 may comprise a topbracket 600. The top bracket 600 is adapted to be placed over the top ofthe conduit/fin assembly 250. It may be constructed of any rigidmaterial, though in the preferred embodiment it is metal and in the mostpreferred embodiment it is aluminum. The top bracket 600 should besubstantially planar, with or without edge flanges 630. In embodimentsusing edge flanges 630, the edge flanges 630 depend downwards in asubstantially vertical orientation and the distance between the edgeflanges 630 should be substantially the same as the width of the fins200 in the conduit/fin assembly 250, such that the top bracket 600 isfitted snugly onto conduit/fin assembly 250 and held therein by the edgeflanges 630 when placed on the conduit/fin assembly 250.

In yet other embodiments both the support bracket 500 and the topbracket 600 are used. See FIGS. 7A and 7B. In these embodiments the topbracket 600 may be fixedly attached to the support bracket 500 by one ormore brace members 700. The brace members 700 may be constructed of anyrigid material, though in the preferred embodiment they are metal and inthe most preferred embodiment they are aluminum. The brace members 700may have any shape or configuration, though in the preferred embodimentthey are substantially planar and rectangular. The brace members 700 maybe fixedly attached to the top and support brackets 600,500 by any knownmeans, such as fasteners, welds, adhesives, and the like. In the mostpreferred embodiment using brace members 700 the top and supportbrackets 600,500 also comprise edge flanges 530,630. See FIG. 7B. Soconfigured, the conduit/fin assembly 250 is maintained substantiallyrigid, without sags or bends.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, each of theplurality of fins 200 comprises one or more bottom flanges 212. See FIG.6. Each of the bottom flanges 212 depends downward from the bottom edge210 of its respective fin 200. In conjunction with the flanged fins 200,the support bracket 500 comprises one or more corresponding slots 512formed into its top surface 510. See FIG. 6. Each of the slots 512 runsalong the length of the support bracket 500 and, where more than oneslot 512 is used, each of the slots 512 is oriented substantiallyparallel to each other slot 512. The bottom flanges 212 of the fins 200are inserted into the corresponding slots 512 of the support bracket 500to provide a snug attachment of the conduit/fin assembly 250 to thesupport bracket 500.

In yet another alternative embodiment, each of the plurality of fins 200comprises one or more top flanges 222. See FIG. 6. Each of the topflanges 222 depends upward from the top edge 220 of its respective fin200. In conjunction with the flanged fins 200, the top bracket 600comprises one or more corresponding slots 612 formed into its bottomsurface. Each of the slots 612 runs along the length of the top bracket600 and, where more than one slot 612 is used, each of the slots 612 isoriented substantially parallel to each other slot 612. The top flanges222 of the fins 200 are inserted into the corresponding slots 612 of thetop bracket 600 to provide a snug attachment of the conduit/fin assembly250 to the top bracket 600. In yet another alternative embodiment, bothtop and bottom fin flanges 212,222 are used, along with slots 512,612formed into both the support and top brackets 500,600. With the finflanges 212,222 inserted into the corresponding bracket slots 512,612,the conduit/fin assembly 250 is maintained substantially rigid, withoutsags or bends.

The baseboard radiator 1 of the present invention may further comprise areturn conduit 150 to serve as a water return line. See FIGS. 8A and 8B.The return conduit 150 is formed of cross-linked polyethylene tubing.The PEX tubing from which the return conduit 150 is formed may be coiledtubing or straight tubing. Straight PEX tubing is preferred. Any sizePEX tubing may be used for the return conduit 150, though in thepreferred embodiment the primary conduit 100 is ¾ inch diameter PEXtubing. The length of the return conduit 150 should be approximately thesame as the width of the housing 300, though the length of the returnconduit 150 may be slightly longer than the width of the housing 300which results in the ends of the return conduit 150 extending somewhatbeyond the sides of the housing 300. While shorter lengths of PEX tubingmay be connected together to form the return conduit 150, in thepreferred embodiment the return conduit 150 is formed of a singleseamless length of PEX tubing.

The return conduit 150 is supported by one or more hangers 800. Eachhanger 800 is attached to the support bracket 500, if used, or to thefin unit 270, such that the return conduit 150 is supported beneath theconduit/fin assembly 250. See FIG. 8A. The hangers 800 may be formed ofany substantially rigid material. In the preferred embodiment thehangers 800 are formed of metal into a substantially u-shape. See FIG.8B. The first and second ends 802,804 of each hanger 800 are thenattached to the bottom surface of the support bracket 500 or the finunit 270. Other configurations of the hangers 800 are also contemplatedby the invention.

Where the return conduit 150 is formed of coiled PEX tubing, addedstructural rigidity may be needed to maintain the return conduit 150 inthe preferred straight configuration. One embodiment uses a carrierframe 900 to maintain the return conduit 150 in a substantially straightconfiguration. See FIGS. 9A and 9B. The carrier frame 900 issubstantially rigid and accommodates the return conduit 150. The returnconduit 150 is placed upon the carrier frame 900 and the return conduit150 and the carrier frame 900 are supported below the conduit/finassembly 250 by the hangers 800. In the preferred embodiment the carrierframe 900 is formed of two intersecting planar portions 910,912, therebygiving the carrier frame 900 a v-shaped cross-section. See FIG. 9B. Withthe v-shape of the carrier frame 900 opened at the top, the returnconduit 150 is placed within the carrier frame 900 between and onto thetwo planar portions 910,912. The length of the carrier frame 900 shouldbe substantially identical to the length of the return conduit 150 tobest provide structural rigidity, though shorter lengths are alsocontemplated.

In one embodiment using a carrier frame 900, one or more frame clips 950may also be used to retain the carrier frame 900 to the return conduit150. See FIG. 9A. Each frame clip 950 is substantially C-shaped and madeof a substantially rigid material having a small amount of flex, such asspring metal. See FIG. 9B. The one or more frame clips 950 are placedonto and over the return conduit 150 and carrier frame 900, therebyholding the carrier frame 900 firmly to the return conduit 150. In analternative embodiment a second carrier frame 900 is used, configuredidentically to the first carrier frame 900 and placed over the top ofthe return conduit 150. See FIGS. 9A and 9B. When the second carrierframe 900 is used, it is preferred to also use one or more frame clips950 to retain the carrier frames 900 to the return conduit 150. Otherconfigurations of the carrier frame 900 may be used, provided they serveto maintain the return conduit 150 in a substantially straightconfiguration.

Where a baseboard radiator until is being placed in series with otherbaseboard radiator units, the primary conduit 100 and the return conduit150 within the baseboard radiator 1 are not in direct communication witheach other. Hot water flowing out of the primary conduit 100 of onebaseboard radiator 1 flows into the primary conduit 100 of the nextbaseboard radiator 1, and water flowing out of the return conduit 150 ofone baseboard radiator 1 likewise flows into the return conduit 150 ofthe next baseboard radiator 1. However, where a baseboard radiator unitis the sole unit used, or is the unit placed at the end of the waterline, the primary conduit 100 and the return conduit 150 may be placedin direct communication with each other. In these embodiments, theprimary conduit 100 has an open end 104 and a linked end 106 and thereturn conduit 150 has an open end 154 and a linked end 156, with thelinked ends 106,156 of the primary conduit 100 and the return conduit150 substantially aligned and in fluid connection with each other. SeeFIG. 10. Thus, hot water enters the baseboard radiator 1 through theopen end 104 of the primary conduit 100 and flows through the primaryconduit 100, then exits the primary conduit 100 through the linked end106 of the primary conduit 100 and enters the return conduit 150 throughthe linked end 156 of the return conduit 150, and finally flows throughthe return conduit 150 and exits the baseboard radiator 1 through theopen end 154 of the return conduit 150.

Where the primary conduit 100 is linked to the return conduit 150, theimproved baseboard radiator 1 of the present invention may comprise afirst coupling and a second coupling. The first coupling is adapted toconnect the open end 104 of the primary conduit 100 to the heatingsystem, and the second coupling is adapted to connect the open end 154of the return conduit 150 to the heating system. Where the heatingsystem uses PEX tubing to connect its components, the first and secondcouplings will be PEX-to-PEX couplings, such as crimp fittings, insertcompression fittings, and outside diameter compression fittings. Wherethe heating system uses copper tubing to connect its components, thefirst and second couplings will be PEX-to-copper fittings, which mayrequire soldering of the fitting to the copper pipe. Those skilled inthe art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in theinvention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skillof the art are intended to be covered by the claims set forth herein,and that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall beinterpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

1. An improved baseboard radiator comprising: a primary conduit, saidprimary conduit being substantially tubular and having a length, anouter surface, and a substantially uniform outside diameter, saidprimary conduit being suitably adapted to contain and convey hot water;a plurality of fins, each said fin having a central aperturesubstantially circular in shape and having an inside diametersubstantially the same as the outside diameter of the primary conduit,with the primary conduit inserted into and through the central aperturesof said fins such that said fins are snugly disposed upon and along atleast a portion of the length of the primary conduit on the outersurface of the primary conduit, said plurality of fins together with theprimary conduit forming a conduit/fin assembly, said fins suitablyadapted to radiate heat energy transferred from hot water containedwithin the primary conduit to the ambient environment; and a housing,said housing suitably adapted to contain the conduit/fin assembly;wherein the primary conduit is formed of cross-linked polyethylenetubing.
 2. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 1 wherein theplurality of fins are disposed along substantially the entire length ofthe primary conduit.
 3. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 1further comprising a first coupling and a second coupling; wherein thefirst coupling is suitably adapted to connect an end of the primaryconduit to a heating system and the second coupling is suitably adaptedto connect another end of the primary conduit to the heating system. 4.The improved baseboard radiator of claim 1 further comprising a supportbracket, said support bracket suitably adapted to support theconduit/fin assembly, whereby the conduit/fin assembly is placed onto atop surface of the support bracket and the support bracket is fixedlyattached to an inside portion of the housing.
 5. The improved baseboardradiator of claim 4 further comprising a top bracket having a bottomsurface, said top bracket suitably adapted to be placed upon theconduit/fin assembly whereby the bottom surface of said top bracket isplaced against the conduit/fin assembly.
 6. The improved baseboardradiator of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of brace members,wherein each of the plurality of brace members is fixedly attached toboth the top bracket and the support bracket.
 7. The improved baseboardradiator of claim 4 wherein the support bracket comprises a pair of edgeflanges, each of the edge flanges depending upward from sides of thesupport bracket in a substantially vertical orientation, with thedistance between the edge flanges being substantially identical to thewidth of the conduit/fin assembly, such that the conduit/fin assembly isheld snugly between the pair of edge flanges when the conduit/finassembly is placed onto the top surface of the support bracket.
 8. Theimproved baseboard radiator of claim 5 wherein the top bracket comprisesa pair of edge flanges, each of the edge flanges depending downward fromsides of the top bracket in a substantially vertical orientation, withthe distance between the edge flanges being substantially identical tothe width of the conduit/fin assembly, such that the conduit/finassembly is held snugly between the pair of edge flanges when the topbracket is placed onto the conduit/fin assembly.
 9. The improvedbaseboard radiator of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of finscomprises one or more bottom flanges, each said bottom flange dependingdownward from a bottom edge of the respective fin; and the supportbracket comprises one or more slots formed into its top surface, eachsaid slot running along a length of the support bracket and, where morethan one slot is formed into the top surface of the support bracket,each said slot is oriented substantially parallel to each other slot;whereby the bottom flanges depending from the plurality of fins aresuitably adapted to be inserted into the one or more slots of thesupport bracket and the one or more slots of the support bracket aresuitably adapted to accommodate the bottom flanges depending from theplurality of fins.
 10. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 9further comprising a top bracket having a bottom surface, said topbracket suitably adapted to be placed upon the conduit/fin assemblywhereby the bottom surface of said top bracket is placed against theconduit/fin assembly.
 11. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 10wherein each of the plurality of fins comprises one or more top flanges,each said top flange depending upward from a top edge of the respectivefin; and the top bracket comprises one or more slots formed into itsbottom surface, each said slot running along a length of the top bracketand, where more than one slot is formed into the bottom surface of thetop bracket, each said slot is oriented substantially parallel to eachother slot; whereby the top flanges depending from the plurality of finsare suitably adapted to be inserted into the one or more slots of thetop bracket and the one or more slots of the top bracket are suitablyadapted to accommodate the top flanges depending from the plurality offins.
 12. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 5 wherein each of theplurality of fins comprises one or more top flanges, each said topflange depending upward from a top edge of the respective fin; and thetop bracket comprises one or more slots formed into its bottom surface,each said slot running along a length of the top bracket and, where morethan one slot is formed into the bottom surface of the top bracket, eachsaid slot is oriented substantially parallel to each other slot; wherebythe top flanges depending from the plurality of fins are suitablyadapted to be inserted into the one or more slots of the top bracket andthe one or more slots of the top bracket are suitably adapted toaccommodate the top flanges depending from the plurality of fins. 13.The improved baseboard radiator of claim 4 further comprising a returnconduit, said return conduit being substantially tubular and having alength, said return conduit being suitably adapted to contain and conveywater; and one or more hangers, each said hanger attached to the supportbracket and suitably adapted to support the return conduit below thesupport bracket; wherein the return conduit is formed of cross-linkedpolyethylene, the return conduit is supported by the one or morehangers, and the return conduit and the one or more hangers arecontained within the housing.
 14. The improved baseboard radiator ofclaim 13 wherein each of the one or more hangers is formed of asubstantially rigid material into a substantially u-shape, such thateach hanger has a first end and a second end, with the first and secondends of each hanger suitably adapted to attach to a bottom surface ofthe support bracket.
 15. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 13further comprising a carrier frame, said carrier frame beingsubstantially rigid and having a length, said carrier frame beingsuitably adapted to support the return conduit; wherein the returnconduit is placed upon the carrier frame and the return conduit and thecarrier frame are supported below the support bracket by the one or morehangers.
 16. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 15 furthercomprising a second carrier frame, said second carrier frame beingsubstantially rigid and having a length, said second carrier frame beingsuitably adapted to be placed upon the return conduit; and one or morecarrier frame clips, each said frame carrier clip suitably adapted to beplaced onto the return conduit and over the carrier frame and the secondcarrier frame, thereby holding the carrier frame and second carrierframe firmly against the return conduit.
 17. The improved baseboardradiator of claim 13 wherein the primary conduit has an open end and alinked end; and the return conduit has an open end and a linked end;whereby the linked end of the primary conduit is substantially alignedwith and in fluid connection with the linked end of the return conduit,such that hot water enters the baseboard radiator through the open endof the primary conduit and flows through the primary conduit, exits theprimary conduit through the linked end of the primary conduit and entersthe return conduit through the linked end of the return conduit, andflows through the return conduit and exits the baseboard radiatorthrough the open end of the return conduit.
 18. The improved baseboardradiator of claim 17 further comprising a first coupling and a secondcoupling; wherein the first coupling is suitably adapted to connect theopen end of the primary conduit to a heating system and the secondcoupling is suitably adapted to connect the open end of the returnconduit to the heating system.
 19. The improved baseboard radiator ofclaim 1 wherein each of the plurality of fins is fixedly attached to anadjacent fin, forming a substantially rigid fin unit, wherein thecentral apertures of the plurality of fins of the fin unit are orientedin substantial alignment with each other to accommodate the primaryconduit.
 20. The improved baseboard radiator of claim 19 furthercomprising a return conduit, said return conduit being substantiallytubular and having a length, said return conduit being suitably adaptedto contain and convey water; and one or more hangers, each said hangerattached to the fin unit and suitably adapted to support the returnconduit below the fin unit; wherein the return conduit is formed ofcross-linked polyethylene, the return conduit is supported by the one ormore hangers, and the return conduit and the one or more hangers arecontained within the housing.